Prefabricated wall structure system

ABSTRACT

A structure used in bus shelters, smoking shelters, etc, has hollow, extruded post sections to support the roof, each post having at least one substantially smooth face, at least one adjoining face having a projecting panel receiver section along its length, to receive a glazing panel. Glazing snap members secure the glazing panel to the glazing receiver, with snap-retention rib projections extending parallel with the glazing receiver section, removably securing the glazing snap. The two-element system provides longitudinally reversible corner posts and a mid-post, with free sides that may be curved, and radiused corners, as are the glazing receiver sections and the glazing snap. The latter two have recesses for extruded rubber seals. The corner and mid-post may be oriented with the glazing snaps located within the structure, for unrestricted installation and/or removal of the glazing panels from inside the structure.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable (N/A)

STATEMENT RE FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

(N/A)

REFERENCE TO MICROFICHE APPENDIX

(N/A)

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. This invention is directed to a prefabricated building systememploying roof-supporting extruded metal sections, having provision forthe installation of panels of glass, Lexan (T.M.), acrylic, metal andcomposite materials, for a variety of structures, including transitshelters, smoking shelter, rail-side shelters, wind-breaks and the like.

2. Widespread use is currently made of prefabricated sheltersincorporating roof-support elements generally similar to those of thepresent invention. However, many of these prior art systems have anumber of defects which detract significantly from their appearance andover-all benefit.

Some of the aforesaid defects include:

post and panel constructions utilizing a three-member mountingarrangement by which glazing and other panels are assembled to thestructure support members. The erection of such three-member assembliesis labour intensive, thus increasing their ultimate cost;

the prior art square, hollow structural posts generally have protrudingchannels, known as ‘receivers’ extending along all four sides of theextruded post section, for mounting what is termed in the industry asthe ‘glazing body’ panel, using a variety of self tapping screw typefasteners. Since these fasteners are applied subsequently to thepainting of the extrusions, their use causes interruptions and breachesin the painted surfaces. Aluminum is well known for its rapidoxidization properties, and these breaches permit oxidization toinitiate, take hold and begin to creep under the painted surfaces, thusdestroying the adhesion between the aluminum base material and the paintitself, adversely affecting the appearance of the structure.

A third component, known as a ‘glazing snap’, is then clipped intoplace, to retain the glass or other panel, which panels per se do notform a part of the present invention.

In many instances these prior art extruded components have sharp cornersand edges that are generally at least square or more acutely angled insection, and when electrostatically painted, are susceptible to theFaraday Effect, which causes the corners to receive only a very thinlayer of paint protection, which over time, can also lead to paintfailure.

A further disadvantage of the known prior art post sections is that thesides of the posts that are not used to secure panels are left withexposed glazing body receivers. These open section, exposed receiversenable dust, dirt, gum, insects, mold and other debris to collect inthem, thus making the posts very unsanitary and unsightly. Thesereceivers are very difficult to access and clean, and the general publicare constantly exposed to these surfaces.

As described above, these prior art receivers are very difficult topaint, even with the use of electrostatic painting equipment. Without afull and proper application of paint, these surfaces are susceptible tooxidization, which may ultimately lead to a paint failure.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a prefabricated wall structure, for usein supporting a roof, and having hollow, extruded post sections, eachwith at least one substantially smooth face, at least one adjoining facehaving a glazing receiver section projecting therefrom and extendingalong substantially the length of the post to receive a glazing panel ininserted relation therein; at least one glazing snap member to securethe glazing panel to the glazing receiver, and snap-retention ribprojections extending parallel with the glazing receiver section, toreceive the glazing snap in removably secured relation therewith.

Thus, there is provided a two-element panel mounting, having a glazingreceiver section into which an edge of a glazing panel may be entered,and adjacent, inclined snap retention ribs; and a glazing snap,forattachment to the ribs, in securing relation with the glazing panel.

There are provided two types of post, namely a corner post and amid-post.

The corner posts have two adjoining smooth sides and two opposed sideseach having a glazing receiver section, and snap retention ribs. Theymay be longitudinally reversed for left or right handing.

The mid-posts each has two opposed smooth sides and two sides each witha glazing receiver section, and snap retention ribs.

The smooth sides of the respective posts may be curved, and all theircorners radiused. Also, the external corners of the glazing receiversections may be radiused, as is also the glazing snap. The glazingreceiver sections and the opposed glazing snap each include profiledrecesses to receive an extruded rubber seal in inserted, anchoredrelation therein. The glazing snap is sized so as to apply, whenassembled, a compressive force of the seal to the face of the panel inthe order of four to six pounds per linear inch.

In the case of a shelter, such as a bus shelter that is erected againsta backing wall of an existing structure, the respective posts (cornerand mid-post) may be oriented such that the glazing snaps are locatedwithin the shelter structure, thus providing unrestricted access forinstallation and/or removal of the glazing panels from within thestructure, and making replacement of the glazing panel or panels acomparatively simple operation.

The present system includes mullion and wind-skirt members,incorporating a glazing receiver section or sections corresponding withthe above described glazing receiver provisions. It will be understoodthat panels used in such prefabricated structures generally consist ofboth opaque and transparent panels, which may be physicallyinterchangeable. Thus, the term “panel” and “glazing panel” are usedsomewhat interchangeably. The structure of the present invention isintended for use with both such types of panel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

Certain embodiments of the present invention are described by way ofexample, without limitation of the invention thereto other than as setforth in the present claims, reference being made to the accompanyingdrawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a plan view in cross section of a portion of wall of abuilding structure in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of portions of FIG. 1, showing a corner postand a mid-post;

FIG. 3 is a plan view in cross section of a glazing snap;

FIG. 4 is a plan view in cross section of a wind skirt for the subjectstructure;

FIG. 5 is a plan view in cross section of a mid-post complete withinstalled glazing snaps;

FIG. 6 is a schematic cross-section of a strip seal; and,

FIG. 7 is a perspective view in front elevation of one shelterembodiment in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, this shows in cross section a back-wall portion 10of a shelter, having two corner posts 12, 12, and an intermediate ormid-post 14. It will be understood that the left or right ‘handing’ ofthe components, such as a corner post 12 is achieved merely by invertingthe post, in order to reverse it handing.

Portions of two panels, 16, 16 are illustrated, for purposes of clarity.

Two glazing snaps 18, 18 are shown, with directional arrows to indicatetheir location of installation. It will be understood that the fouredges, comprising the top, bottom and side edges of each panel 16 may besecured by the installation of a glazing snap 18.

Referring to FIG. 2, the corner post 12 has two glazing receiversections 20, located on adjacent faces 22, 24, which faces aresubstantially flat.

Each glazing receiver section 20, which is extruded integrally with theposts 12 and 14, consists of a protruding extruded rib having a sealhousing 29 located at its outer end, for insertion of a rubber orplastic sealing strip 25 (see FIG. 4). The receiver section 20 includesmutually inclined retaining ribs 30, 32 by which a glazing snap 18 isengaged. A pair of locating ribs located adjacent the surface of thepost(12, 14) serve to centre a glazing panel 16 when it is installed,prior to the application of a snap18 in sealing relation with theglazing panel 16. The intermediate post 14 has a pair of glazingreceiver sections 20, in mutually opposed relation on its side faces.The inner and outer faces of the post 14 are outwardly convexly curved.

Referring to FIG. 3, a glazing snap 18 has a base portion 38, having aseal housing 29 facing outwardly, and surmounted by a wall 40 whichterminates in an inclined toe portion 42. The housing 29 receives asealing strip 25 along its length in inserted, sliding relation therein.A second wall 44, extending substantially parallel with the wall 40 hasa hooked heel portion 46. In use, with a composite rubber/plasticsealing strip 25 positioned in the seal housing 29, the snap 18 issecured to its respective post, by inserting the toe portion 42 inengaged relation beneath the retaining rib 30 and the hooked heelportion 46 in engaging relation with retaining rib 32.

This installation will then automatically result in the rubber ribportions 25 of sealing strip 15 pressing with predetermined sealingforce against the inserted glazing panel 16, adjacent its edge.

Referring to FIG. 4, a windskirt 50 has a substantially rectangularbody, being illustrated with three ribs 52,along its bottom surface, tomake contact with the ground on which the construction stands. Thecorners of the windskirt 50 are radiused, and its two sides may becurved. The top face of the windskirt 50 has a glazing receiver section20, as described above, to which the bottom edge of a glazing panel 16may be mounted, and secured thereto by means of a snap 18, in engagedrelation with the windskirt 50.

Referring to FIG. 5, a mullion member 54 has an arrangement and shapesimilar to an intermediate post 14, with a pair of glazing receiversections 20, in mutually opposed relation on its top and bottom faces.The two side faces of the mullion member 54 may be outwardly convexlycurved. The mullion 54 is used to connect two adjacent glazing panelportions 16 along their adjacent horizontal edges. A pair of glazingsnaps 18 engage the glazing panel portions 16, being mounted on theupper and lower receiver sections 20 of the mullion 54. Referring toFIG. 7, a shelter 45 in accordance with the present invention has theglazing panels 16 secured by way of their top and side edges, in thefashion described above.

1. A prefabricated wall structure, for use in supporting a roof, saidwall structure having hollow, extruded post sections, each with at leastone substantially smooth face, at least one adjoining face having apanel receiver section projecting therefrom and extending alongsubstantially the length of the post, in use to receive a panel ininserted relation therein; snap-retention rib projections extendingparallel with the panel receiver section, for attachment of panelattachment snap means to the post, to receive a glazing snap inremovably secured relation therewith, and at least one glazing snapmember removably attachable to said post, to secure the panel in securedrelation to the panel receiver.
 2. The structure as set forth in claim1, wherein said snap retention ribs are in spaced-apart, mutuallyinclined relation; said glazing snap having an inclined toe portion anda hooked heel portion to engage said snap retention ribs in engaged,removable relation.
 3. The structure as set forth in claim 1, whereinsaid post sections comprise corner posts and intermediate posts, eachsaid post having two said panel receiver sections.
 4. The structure asset forth in claim 3, wherein said corner post section comprises a pairof substantially smooth outwardly convex curved faces,in mutuallyadjoining relation, and two adjoining substantially planar faces, eachhaving a said panel receiver section thereon.
 5. The structure as setforth in claim 3, wherein said intermediate post section comprises apair of substantially smooth outwardly convex curved faces,in mutuallyopposed relation, and two mutually opposed substantially planar faces,each having a said panel receiver section thereon.
 6. The structure asset forth in claim 1, said glazing snap member having a toe portion, anda hooked heel portion in spaced relation from said toe portion, each inuse to engage a respective said snap retention rib.
 7. The structure asset forth in claim 1, further including a mullion panel assembly,comprising a pair of substantially smooth outwardly convex curved sidefaces, in mutually opposed relation, and two mutually opposedsubstantially planar faces, each having a said panel receiver sectionthereon.
 8. The structure as set forth in claim 1, said panel receiversection and said snap member each having a profiled recess to receive anelastomeric sealing strip in inserted, retained relation therein, toprovide sealing contact with two side faces of said panel.
 9. Thestructure as set forth in claim 1, wherein said post sections may beoriented in predetermined relation, to position said glazing panelretaining snap in a predetermined location, relative to the structure,to facilitate insertion and replacement of a said glazing panel.
 10. Thestructure as set forth in claim 1, including a mullion member in joiningrelation with a pair of adjacent coplanar said panels, and a windskirtin joined relation with the bottom edge of a said panel.